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MUMBAI: Since the day he replaced the Indian captain Rohit Sharma as captain of the Mumbai Indians after being traded by MI from the Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya has been heavily trolled by fans, and the franchise has also been the subject of several memes.
However, at MI’s pre-season press conference on Monday, Hardik Pandya, looking fit and fresh after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out of the game for five months, looked relaxed, with head coach . Marcos Boucher sitting next to him.
Asked if the social media reaction following his appointment as MI’s new captain affected him, Pandya, while confirming that he will bowl during the season, said: “I don’t focus on things that I can’t control. At the same time “We are grateful to the fans because a lot of fame and love comes from them. “I respect his opinion, but at the same time I’m very excited.”
Pandya spoke graciously about continuing his predecessor’s rich legacy, in which MI won five titles, in IPL-2024, saying, “I know he will have his hand on my shoulder throughout the season.”
“(Captaining Rohit) will not be different, because he will be there to help me if I need his help… He is the captain of the Indian team, which helps me because what this team has achieved, it has achieved under “As of now From now on, it will be about moving forward with what you have achieved, so that there is nothing uncomfortable. I have played for 10 years with him and I know that I will have his hand on my shoulders throughout the season,” he stated.
Since Rohit has been busy with international cricket, Pandya has not had a chance so far to discuss his plans for the season. “Yes and no to that, because he has been traveling and playing. We haven’t seen each other in the last few months. We are all professionals, and when the team is formed and once he comes in, we will definitely chat,” said the 30-year-old. years.
Asked if being relieved of the pressures of captaincy now will bring out the best in Rohit, who has been in good form of late, Boucher said: “Rohit has been in fantastic form. I’m looking forward to ‘Ro’ coming out and expressing himself.” “We saw him bat against England. He’s been batting fantastic.”
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya at a press conference in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)
Having undergone a lengthy rehabilitation for the ankle injury he suffered in the ODI World Cup at home in October, Pandya was confident that his body would be able to withstand the rigors of the IPL.
“I have no problems with my body, I plan to play every match. In the IPL, anyway, I haven’t missed many matches. Technically, I was out for three months. It was a strange injury and had nothing to do with my previous injuries. I tried to stop the ball and ended up getting injured,” Pandya said.
He’s ready to deal with the pressures that come with leading a franchise that’s always in the spotlight. Ironically, MI will launch his campaign on Sunday, March 24 against GT, Pandya’s previous team, which finished runners-up last year.
The Baroda man said he had never thought of leading the franchise with which he started his journey with MI back in 2015. “It feels wonderful, my journey started from here and I never thought that in 10 years I would be leading this side. It feels very good.” Pandya said when asked about his new role.
Pandya won four titles with the team before joining GT as its captain in 2022. The all-rounder led the Gujarat Titans to the title in his first season.
Pandya spoke about the “wonderful, warm and exciting welcome” he received at MI after returning to a franchise where he began his IPL journey. “It’s been amazing to come back, to go back to where it all started and the journey will continue. The welcome was wonderful, very warm and very exciting,” said Ella Pandya.
The big hitter said he saw his role in the team as a finisher. “In this IPL, I will be an all-rounder and try to finish and win as many games as possible,” Pandya said.